Welcome back to the Men's Weekly Podcast! Today, we're diving deep into the war within, the battle fought in secret. This episode builds upon previous ones, so if you haven't listened to episodes 14 and 15 about irrelevant identities and the father wound, or even episode one, consider going back and starting the journey from the beginning. We're building layer upon layer.

The Hidden Battle

This idea of emotional control and emotional sabotage is real. Many men are unaware that they are "bleeding out," leaking power. I learned this after years of struggling and realized I wasn't operating at my full capacity because I hadn't addressed the internal conflict. Today, we will discuss emotional sabotage, its traps, and provide keys to overcoming them.

Emotional Traps

We will explore three emotional traps that destroy men: anger, fear, and shame. These are not new, but their manifestation changes with circumstances, technology, and distractions. However, when triggered, we still erupt. I have personally experienced these traps, leading to divorce, business failure, and family estrangement.Will you get honest with me here over the next three to five minutes as I begin to unpack these with you?

Take a moment to focus. You were not designed to stay trapped. You were designed to overcome. This requires radical honesty with yourself. As I share these things, note what comes up and how you can unlock your cage.

1. Anger as Armor

Anger was my armor. I used to say, "I show love through anger." These were lies, and anger masked my pain, weaknesses, and grief. It gave me an illusion of power but only isolated and fueled destruction. This was a cage, not armor.

2. Fear as a Compass

Fear dictated my decisions for years. I would shrink back from my calling, guided by fear. I feared failure, rejection, and being fully known. I made safe choices instead of spirit-led choices, even when external appearances suggested otherwise.

3. Shame as an Identity

Shame became my identity. I was ashamed of my past actions and hid, faking strength instead of receiving healing. Shame is a liar. We will break this agreement.

Keys to Breakthrough

I will share keys I utilized to overcome these traps:

Proverbs 25:28: A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls. This means building boundaries for ourselves.

Psalm 34:18: The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. This required brokenness and vulnerability with God.

James 5:16: Confess your faults to one another and pray for one another that you may be healed. Radical honesty and fellowship unlock healing.

2nd Corinthians 10:5: Take every thought captive to obey Christ. This requires radical self-examination and addressing every thought.

Practical Strategies

To win the inner war:
Name your emotions truthfully.
Face and identify your triggers.
Confess to a brother in community.
Replace lies with God's truth.
Take spirit-led action.

Declarations

Make these declarations:
I am not a slave to this trigger.
I confess, I confront, and I conquer through Christ.
My anger will no longer lead me.
My fear will not silence me.
My shame will not define me.
I am a blood-bought son of the living God.

This journey isn't over; it's just the next step. Join us at MensWeekly.us for fellowship and discipleship. It's time to win the war from the inside out.